Birkirkara move as sole leaders in the BOV Premier League

by Ayrton Galea - 14th March 2013

Birkirkara moved alone to the top of the BOV Premier League, when they made the best of City's slip-up and crushed Mosta with a 7-1 score.

Following defeating Hibernians with a 1-0 score, the Stripes kept their morale sky high, and brimming with confidence they sent another clear warning of their title intentions.

The Stripes' win came at the perfect time, as they will face Valletta with high-sky morale when these two arch rivals cross swords this Sunday.

The result speaks for itself, as Mr. Paul Zammit's lads outclassed Mosta with a magnificent performance. However, the Stripes had only one goal advantage to show by the half-time, having regained the lead, after against the run of the play Mosta equalised.

The Stripes seemed to quickly learn the lesson handed to them in the first half, that in football only goals scored count, as they made up for all the missed chances by nothing two goals early in the second half to remove any doubt where the precious points were going.

Keeping faith in the first eleven selection, Mr. Paul Zammit fielded a 3-5-2 formation with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Jhonnattann as the main strikers, continually supported by Ryan Scicluna, with Joseph Zerafa and Edward Herrera as wingers.

Choosing the best players for the Stripes could be controversial as they all played an important role in this resounding victory but Joseph Zerafa was a continuous torment on the left wing. Following an unlucky first half, Jhonnattann also had an electrifying performance in the second half and he netted two goals.

The First Half

Showing their intentions right from the start, the Stripes did not take long to surge ahead.

After four minutes the Stripes won a free-kick from the left wing which was taken by Jhonnattann. His perfect cross was met by a header from Nikola Vukanac who rose high, to beat Farrugia and to send his team in a priceless early lead.

Being in total control despite concluding erratically, the Stripes still should have made them two on the 27 minutes. It was another free-kick taken by Jhonnattann that created the danger. Alejandro Mendoza nodded the ball in direction of the far post with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's header pushed away by the goalkeeper.

Once again, Birkirkara had another great chance to double their lead when Mifsud Triganza found space inside the box but his effort was turned into a corner by Farrugia.

However, Birkirkara paid a sour price for their chances lost as against the run of the play, Mosta equalised. Four minutes past the half-hour mark, Ryan Grech's through pass penetrated the Stripes' rear guard and Danail Mitev fired past his former team-mate, Justin Haber.

This goal seemed to be the wake-up call for the Stripes as not only did they not demoralise themselves following this unexpected goal, but without losing any precious time, they were back on track to regain the lead.

Birkirkara threatened first thanks to Jhonnattann when following a fine run by Joseph Zerafa, the latter served the Brazilian player whose fierce shot ended over.

The Stripes continued to pile up the pressure with Mosta trying to maintain the equlibrium. Mifsud Triganza had a fine volley saved by goalkeeper Farrugia and a few moments later, the same player made space in the box but his shot was deflected into a corner by Carlos Campagnioli.

When the half-time result seemed to be heading to a 1-1 draw, Birkirkara regained the lead one minute from time. Following a corner by Jhonnattann, Vukanac hit the post with Mosta clearing the danger into another corner. From the resulting corner, once again taken by Jhonnattann, Mosta's rear guard failed to clear and Rodrigo Pereira powerfully headed home.

The Second Half

Mr. Paul Zammit might be impressed himself how his half-time team talk electrified the players, as hardly half a minute in the second half, the Stripes made them three to move in a more comfortable position.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had the space to run down the right wing before his precise cross was headed past Farrugia by the Brazilian Jhonnattann.

Still unsettled following conceding the third goal, Mosta's woes increased as Birkirkara quickly made them four on the 49th minute. It was another cross from the right wing, this time by Edward Herrera and once again an unmarked Jhonnattann hit home from close range.

Mosta's Head Coach, Mr. Danilo Doncic who probably had thrown in the towel at that stage, made a double substitution on the 54th minute when he included Kurt Zammit and Jonathan Bajada off Ryan Grech and Carlos Campagnioli respectively.

Having the match and put the much need three points practically in the bag, Birkirkara's confidence began to increase by time as they opted for the possession game but this did not get in their way to increase the lead.

On the 57th minute, Jhonnattann and Joseph Zerafa combined well with the Brazilian player serving Zerafa in the box whose low shot went past Farrugia to score his first goal in this Premier League.

On the hour mark, Mr. Paul Zammit utilised a double substitution as he replaced Rodrigo Pereira and Edward with Shola Shodiya and Rowen Muscat.

Rowen could not leave his mark quicker and better than he did. Just nine minutes after he was included the National midfielder fired a thunderous shot from a long distance which gave Farrugia no chance, to make them six for the Stripes. This wonderful goal was met by a well deserved applause from all those present in the Birkirkara stand.

On the 80th minute, Joselito Dos Reis was included off Jhonnattann in the Stripes' third and final substitution for the game.

Joselito, like Rowen, quickly left his mark in the match as on the 87th minute, the Brazilian player sealed the issue with a seventh goal, thanks to a fine shot from inside the box following some fine foot-work by Shola Shodiya.

Scorer of a brace, Jhonnattann was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Rodrigo Pereira (60' Shola Shodiya), Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Edward Herrera (60' Rowen Muscat), Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna, Joseph Zerafa, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Jhonnattann Benites.

MOSTA: Jeffrey Farrugia, Tyrone Farrugia, Bryan Agius, Mano Micallef, Giancarlo Sammut (77' Ugochukwu Okoro), Ryan Grech (54' Kurt Zammit), Danail Mitev, Kurt Magro, Carlos Campagnioli (54' Jonathan Bajada), Fabio Vignaroli, Bruno Mbonu.

Yellow Cards: Ryan Grech, Kurt Magro (Mosta)

Scorers: 4' Nikola Vukanac, 44' Rodrigo Pereira, 45' Jhonnattann, 49' Jhonnattann, 57' Joseph Zerafa, 69' Rowen Muscat, 87' Joselito Dos Reis (Birkirkara), 34' Danail Mitev (Mosta).

Man of the match: Jhonnattann (Birkirkara).

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